Walk-in Theater

A BodyNav VR App

Let Your Proprioceptors Be Your Guide

Walk-in Theater unveils a new cinematic form – the Walkie. Departing from one-way, linear cinema played on a single rectangular screen, a Walkie is a virtual environment where visitors move through multi-channel video in a 3D sound space. With nothing more than a head-mounted display and natural body movement, this dynamic experience lets the world reveal itself and invites discovery. Walk-in Theater provides richer, more intimate connections with characters and content.

Hands-free VR
navigation

With no need for a joystick, keyboard or gamepad, BodyNav sets a new standard for freedom of movement in virtual environments.

Evolved
interaction

Relief from
motion sickness

By synchronizing visuals in VR with one’s body in physical space, Walk-in Theater minimizes the sensory imbalances that impair equilibrium.

How It Works

Walk-in Theater uses MONKEYmedia’s patented, body-based navigation technology, BodyNav, to put users in control of their movement through virtual space. Without any custom hardware, BodyNav relies on the smartphone’s sensors for first-person view (FPV) navigation free of hand controls. Viewers simply lean forward (using either their head or torso) to advance in space; lean back to reverse; tip left or right to sidestep; and rotate in place to look around. The more you lean, the faster you go. Because the interactions were designed to respond to natural bearing and balancing instincts, coordination is immediately obvious to adults as well as to children.

“It’s one of those things that makes perfect sense AFTER someone finally points it out.”

Shaun SheppardCreative Innovator at Motion Reality, Inc.

“Fundamentally, you’ve solved a really important problem. It doesn’t require a joystick and you don’t get motion sickness. It has a very natural feel and seems to solve vestibular dysfunction. An outstanding solution. Really great.

Richard Garriott de CayeuxLegendary video game pioneer and private astronaut

“Making the physical experience align with human expectations, as I experienced with MONKEYmedia’s BodyNav technology, is critical not only for an effective VR experience, but also for avoiding digitally induced motion sickness.”

Rob BamforthPrincipal Analyst at Quocirca Ltd

“It’s a bit like when you’re in zero gravity. By just slightly ever moving your head, you feel super powerful. It’s truly amazing. Makes you a super hero.
I really love it!”

Laetitia Garriott de CayeuxManaging Partner at Global Space Ventures

“Best VR idea. Great VR immersion. Should be studied by potential VRMMORPG developers. Head tracking, 3D sound and safely moving around all solved cheaply and in a satisfactory way.”

Aiscrim5 Star App Store Review

Tackling Motion Sickness

Motion sickness has long been a complaint among virtual reality gamers who wear head-mounted displays while using handheld controllers to move through space. While sitting in front of a fan, wearing a sea sickness bracelet, skipping meals, and eating ginger may provide a brief reprieve for those wishing to stave off motion sickness, these “hacks” are neither a universal nor a long-term fix. BodyNav relies on the body’s innate center of gravity and equilibrium to drive movement, rather than an auxiliary mechanical controller. This body-based navigation technique outsmarts and eliminates the sensory imbalances that can cause dizziness, nausea and other symptoms of motion sickness. As a result, players stay comfortable, engaged and entertained.